Christ has been preaching about His concern for the little ones in Matthew 18. He has just told us how the Shepherd is so concerned for one straying sheep that He will leave the ninety-nine to go pursue it. That is what church discipline is – the Shepherd's heart to correct and restore the straying one. God's way of achieving restoration runs contrary to the sentimental and therapeutic sensibilities of our age. But it is Christ, not man, who is building His church, so we must follow the instructions we are given instead of presume to create our own. We have seen a concern for correction but also for gentleness. There are steps of increasing seriousness as open sin is rooted from the camp, but each step is committed to using as little force as possible. The need to increase the pressure lies with the offender and not the offended; impenitence leads to further measures but softness of heart and repentance leads to restoration and reconciliation. The charge for each one of us is to have the gracious courage to live up to Jesus's words. Let us not presume to be sheep who are wiser than the Shepherd. Let us have the grace and humility to always deal seriously, yet graciously with straying brothers and sisters. And may it always be done with restoration as the purpose. Christ will bind us together as we work for the good of His people and the glory of His name.

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